Safe Streets JC, the I Love Greenville Community Partnership, and the Jersey City Free Public Library teamed up to host a 31st Legislative District Assembly candidate forum last night at the Cunningham Branch Public Library.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
NJCU professor Lewis Spears and Jersey City Library Foundation Secretary Gillian Sarjeant-Allen moderated the panel.
“I work every day to fight to make our life better, to make it more affordable, to make it better. My intent is to fight for those who fought for us,” noted Bayonne 2nd Ward Councilwoman Jackie Weimmer, who is running with Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s gubernatorial slate.
Assemblyman Will Sampson, backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) alongside County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3), said he knows what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck and understands that New Jersey is an expensive state.
Stamato highlighted that she is also the chair of the Jersey City Democratic Organization and has spent her life giving back to the community, noting that her family runs Spectrum, a nonprofit helping those with addiction.
Similarly, Walker said he’s a lifelong city resident who has worked in social services for 30 years.
“I’m gonna be hitting the ground running when I get to the State House, I want to be somebody who passes legislation,” he said, receiving applause when he made mention of his successful basketball run at Seton Hall University.
Spears asked what their top three priorities are and what actions they’ve taken to achieve them, if applicable.
Walker said his top priority is academics, which his nonprofit, Team Walker, promotes. He also cited a need for affordability and community policing in the district, which includes the south side of Jersey City, Kearny, and Bayonne.
“We have been cheated. Because of the school funding formula, Jersey City is considered an expensive place to live, and we’re losing out … I will not vote on the budget if school funding is not reinstated,” McCann Stamato stated.
She continued that she is in favor of Vision Zero transportation goals, along with more housing opportunities at well.
On the same topic, Sampson said three of his gun safety bills have cleared the legislature, on top of recently introducing a payroll tax bill that would expand what Jersey City is doing throughout the state.
He also took a stance opposing some of the policies coming out of the White House.
“We also need to push back on Trump … We need to keep your Medicaid … People are getting locked up and they’re doing it illegally!” Sampson exclaimed.
Weimmer said she was also in favor of protections programs and fully funding public schools before Allen asked about affordable housing.
Sampson said he voted for the Anchor program and called for a Newark-based homeowner voucher program to be expanded, prompting McCann Stamato to joke that she “voted for the same things he did,” prompting laughter.
“I sponsored a bill, to allow people who are homeowners to get the equity before a sheriff’s sale,” she added.
Walker said he is always thinking about low- to moderate-income residents, exclaiming that the county commissioners have regularly managed to balance the budget without raising taxes.
Next, Spears asked for their opinions on the U.S. Coast Guard granting a permit to move the $6 billion Newark Bay Bridge project forward, part of the $10.7 billion turnpike widening initiative.
“Do you think the current investment in mass transit in New Jersey is adequate?” he further asked.
“Bayonne residents want the expansion of the bridge. So, I am for the expansion of the bridge from 14 and 14A … I don’t see a reason to expand the lanes going into the tunnel,” Stamato noted.
Sampson said he supports the full scope of the project, noting it would create hundreds of labor union jobs and most of the traffic would be around the container terminal.
Weimmer acknowledged that many Jersey City residents oppose the project, therefore an environmental study is likely needed and at least some of the funding would be better spent on improving NJ Transit.
Walker said he was undecided as of now, though Spears asked if they would prefer investing in mass transit instead. All four candidates said they’d like to do both.
Spears also asked about what plans they have for addressing gun violence.
“About 25 years ago my cousin … got brutally murdered. I believe in community policing,” Walker reiterated on one of his early points. He also emphasized introducing gun safety laws and help those with mental health issues.
Sampson specifically called for upgrades to the 911 system in Jersey City, which has not been fully functional in the past and he said has an impact on the surrounding areas.
“We absolutely need to get a better handle on gun violence and our safety …. Our cops need to be better trained … and living in the communities they’re policing,” exclaimed Weimmer, who said she’d like to see more funding for ARRIVE Together and similar programs.
Furthermore, Allen asked them about their commitment to making sure Liberty State Park (LSP) remains free of commercial interference.
Stamato said she would support any iteration of the Liberty State Park Protection Action, while Weimmer followed up with “I will never be in favor of privatizing that area or that land,” Weimmer declared.
Sampson said he worked with state Senators Brian Stack (D-33) and Angela McKnight (D-31) on the bill that set up the task force that had say over park improvements. He said he supports the pending LSP Protection Act as well.
Walker, a part of the People’s Park Foundation linked to Liberty National CEO Paul Fireman, noted he was on the said task force, and while he wants active recreation, he is not a fan of privatization.
